🌿 Flowhub introduces eCommerce platform, aftermath of California cannabis raids, and High Times names editor-in-chief

Happy Friday Pre Rollers! Welcome to another edition of The Pre Roll, the cannabis newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on the industry happenings you need to know.

Here’s what we’re rolling up this week:

• Flowhub introduces eCommerce platform

• Aftermath of California cannabis raids

• High Times names editor-in-chief

…and more. Let’s get to it.

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🚨 ROLL CALL

Tech

All-in-One. Flowhub has introduced Flowhub Ecommerce, an online ordering platform built fully integrated into its POS system to streamline cannabis retail operations by providing real-time inventory, synced pricing, payments, discounts, and custom branding in a single place without the need for other third-party tools.

Flowhub Ecommerce was designed by former Wayfair eCommerce engineers. The platform has delivered notable results so far, with early adopters seeing average online order values increase by up to 27% compared to previous solutions.

News

Fallout-in-Progress. New details have emerged since federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the National Guard conducted raids on Glass House Farms cannabis operations in Carpinteria and Camarillo on California’s Central Coast last week.

A farmworker who had worked at one of the farms for 10 years tragically lost his life after falling from the roof of a greenhouse. According to authorities, there were also more than 360 people arrested. Among those were four U.S. citizens, including a professor from California State University Channel Islands.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said this is “one of the largest” undertakings of its kind since President Trump took office in January.

The company reported it is working to provide its employees legal representation and does not expect the situation to affect its business moving forward.

Business

Editor-in-Keef. Renowned cannabis magazine High Times, which recently announced its return under new ownership, has named veteran cannabis reporter Javier Hasse Acting Editor-in-Chief.

Hasse is a contributor to Forbes and co-founded the Spanish-language cannabis media outlet El Planteo. He formerly led Benzinga Cannabis and wrote for publications such as Billboard, Rolling Stone, and Playboy.

The High Times brand and related assets were acquired for $3.5 million by Josh Kesselman, the founder of iconic rolling paper company RAW, in partnership with 2000s-era High Times co-owner Matt Stang.

The relaunch is set to encompass limited-run, collectible editions of the print magazine, the Cannabis Cup event series (starting in 2026), and a digital platform for podcasts with experts and community voices.

🇺🇸 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

Michigan: The state led the U.S. in cannabis business violations in 2024.

Nevada: Schools in the state have received over $700 million from cannabis tax revenue since 2018.

New Jersey: The Cannabis Regulatory Commission approved the first cannabis consumption lounges at four licensed retailers.

💼 BUSINESS

Ascend Wellness rolls out refreshed eCommerce ecosystem

The vertically integrated multi-state operator has launched a fully revamped eCommerce platform powered by Dutchie, including a redesigned four-tier loyalty program called Ascenders Club, an integrated app, AI‑powered recommendations, and a cashless payment system.

Curaleaf buys out minority partner abroad

The American cannabis company has acquired the remaining stake in its European arm, Curaleaf International, bringing ownership to 100% and enabling greater strategic control over its EU operations.

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💨 QUICK HITTERS

• BrewDog co-founder Martin Dickie is launching a £20 million medical cannabis venture in the UK.

• Cann is debuting as the exclusive THC-infused seltzer at the Minnesota Yacht Club this weekend.

• The Omaha Tribe became Nebraska’s first to fully legalize and regulate cannabis on tribal land.

• Cookies opened its first Washington, D.C. dispensary last week.

• Canopy Growth has terminated CFO Judy Hong “without cause” and named an interim replacement.

• FLUENT has rebranded its newly acquired Kingston, NY dispensary as its first adult-use cannabis storefront in the state.

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING

• Weed Regulation is Foundering. For Answers, Look to the Labs (Undark)

• California weed sales are down — but these counties still have sky-high numbers (San Francisco Chronicle)

• Trump may have found an ‘easy target’ in California for immigration raids (SFGATE)

• Delaware’s marijuana launch is coming soon, but some say it’s unfair (Spotlight Delaware)

• Advocates say legalizing cannabis opens doors for small business. Do Pa.’s latest proposals deliver? (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

• Cannabis retailers navigate a nuanced regulatory landscape ahead of their business debuts (MinnPost)

• War between intoxicating hemp and marijuana industries resumes in St. Louis (Missouri Independent)

🎙️ POTCASTS

• New York is Rising (Higher Exchanges)

🔎 JOB BOARD

• VP, Retail Marketing

  • Cresco Labs

  • $195,000—$215,000

• Manager, IT Operations

  • Company

  • $105,000—$125,000

• People & Culture Generalist

  • Grön

  • $65,000

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Stay tuned for more cannabis industry news next week!

💚,

The Pre Roll Team

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